256.655.  Fees may be established for persons owning irrigation wells — qualification, limitation — to raise fee must submit to voters. — 1.  The commission may establish annual fees to be paid by persons owning irrigation wells which measure six inches in diameter or greater.  Such fee may not exceed five dollars per well without prior approval of the qualified voters as provided for in sections 256.643 to 256.660.  The commission may propose to raise the fee to an amount not to exceed twenty-five dollars per well.  The fee shall be raised to such amount upon approval by at least two-thirds of those voting on the question in the district.  The fee shall be set by the commission in an amount necessary to produce revenue reasonably required to implement the provisions of sections 256.643 to 256.660 and shall be based upon the number of irrigation wells owned, water usage, size of the irrigation well or any combination thereof, adopted by the commission.

  2.  Each owner of a new irrigation well drilled which is an irrigation well measuring six inches in diameter or greater shall pay a fee to the commission of fifteen dollars for each new irrigation well drilled and each owner of an irrigation well measuring six inches in diameter or greater which is plugged under this chapter shall pay a fee to the commission of fifteen dollars.

  3.  The commission shall meet at least quarterly and upon the call of the president or any three members of the commission.

  4.  The fees authorized under this section shall not apply to any political subdivision or special district of the state.